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RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
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Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017
DEAR MONTY
Will adding solar panels affect my home’s value?
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eader question: How will adding solar panels to my home affect its value? Monty's answer: Here is one person’s opinion based on the limited knowledge gleaned seeking answers. The answer to your questions depends on a variety of
considerations. These considerations fall into several different categories. The product you are purchasing. Here are the considerations. The total cost of the product when calculating energy costs. The manufacturer’s warranty on the expected life of the product. Whether or not the company offering the guarantee will still be in business. The location of your home. Whether or not your utility company buys back energy from consumers. Whether or not the cost is included to store excess energy to sell back to the utility. The limitations included in the company's warranty. You and your home. Alternative Energy Tutorials suggests there is a
correlation between peak efficiency of the product and the pitch and the alignment of your home with the azimuth and zenith of the sun. As an example, some solar collectors rotate with the path of the sun to maximize the energy collected. It is impractical to apply that function to your home, but your roof design and the orientation of your home impact solar efficiency. The federal government (and others) provide tax credits to reduce tax liability over 5 years. This type of legislation can be enacted and later struck down. Will the tax credits last? The housing market. Many of the solar installations are aesthetically
unattractive, in part because they are attached on top of the roof and do not blend in architecturally. This appearance could affect marketability for consumers concerned about aesthetics. Native advertising abounds suggesting that solar panels add value to your home and a recent study described in a major newspaper adds credence to the suggestion. That said, others who study energy for a living are not convinced. Richard Montgomery gives nononsense real estate advice. Send him questions at DearMonty.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017 • Page RE3
Yard cleanup Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017
10 things to get rid of right now BIGSTOCK
By Laura Firszt Networx
“Declutter,” “tidy up,” and “get rid of stuff” are mantras that many modern homeowners live by. But in your passion to organize your house (and your life), don’t neglect that large expanse of outdoor real estate … your yard. Make it beautiful, livable and safe with these yard cleanup tips. Prepare for your yard cleanup Find out facts. Check out essential information about yard waste removal, including municipal pickup dates and times, local recycling center location, and bylaws related to burning garden debris. Schedule. Choose a time slot when you’ll be able to devote a stretch of several hours to your yard work, like a weekend morning (not too early — you don’t want to disturb your neighbors or risk the wrath of your HOA). Gather equipment. Here’s a recommended list, depending on the size and condition of your property. Some tools can be rented. • Work gloves for handling broken glass and prickly plants • Wheelbarrow • Extra-large trash bags • Garden tools, such as a mulching mower, leaf blower, rake, branch lopper, pruning shears, shovel, trowel.
Now get rid of these things Trash. Clearing out obvious trash like food wrappers and dog poop as your first yard clean up task will give you a pleasant sense of accomplishment. Dangerous trees or branches. An unsound tree or limb — whether dead, damaged, diseased, or infested — poses a danger to people, animals, plants, and property. Trimming branches is often a feasible DIY project, but large jobs like tree removal should be tackled by a landscape professional. Weeds. Weeds are unsightly and a major curb appeal killer. In addition, these unwanted plants tend to be incredibly hardy, fast-growing, and space-hogging. Stop them before they choke out your grass, flowers, or vegetable garden. There are many options to get rid of them. Stuff that attracts bugs. Pick up rotting fruit and vegetables from your garden. Eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds by emptying standing water — from roof gutters, disused birdbaths, lawn toys, etc. Stack firewood (a favorite hiding place for pests) up off the ground, away from trees or your house. Fallen leaves. Go over fallen leaves with a mulching mower; use the mulch you produce to protect your tree trunks, lawn, and garden beds. If you’ve got more than you can reasonably handle, blow them to the curb and pack them for pickup.
Garden clutter. Tidy your garden beds. Remove any plant that didn’t work — or that you just dislike — to make space for new plantings. Give live plants to neighbors or members of your garden club. Compost dead plants, unless they’re diseased. In that case, burn or bag so they won’t infect future plantings. That mess of tools. Repair or recycle broken implements. Keep usable tools in good shape by cleaning (disinfecting, too, if they’ve been in contact with sick plants) and oiling. Then put them away neatly in your garden shed — that’s what it’s there for! Extra plant pots. Scoop up any clay pots you’re not currently using and get them inside before they’re cracked by winter’s cold. Are you saving the thin plastic pots that nursery plants came in, hoping you’ll find a use for them? Cut the clutter by freecycling or, in some locations, recycling. Outgrown toys. Once your kids have grown taller than you, hang on to a few cast-off Legos or teddy bears if you must — but outdoor swing sets, climbing frames, and water slides take up substantial space in your yard. If they’re in good enough shape, sell or donate. Unsafe fence or railing. As part of your yard cleanup, check fences and railings. A decayed or shaky rail or post is an accident waiting to happen, especially on an elevated deck or around a swimming pool. Get any of these safety hazards replaced pronto.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017 • Page RE5
Home improvements buyers want most priced to suit your budget By Laura Firszt Networx
Presenting ... four fantastic home upgrades with mucho curb appeal. And that’s not all the good news. Depending on your budget, you can choose the fullscale version of each improvement, or scale it down to cut costs. So what are you waiting for? Go start improving. FRONT DOOR Full-Scale Renovation: Front Door Replacement A brand new front door will create a fantastic first
impression on visitors and bump up your home’s curb appeal immensely. Expect to pay about $700-$2,000 for installation of a durable, secure steel entry door. That includes a mediumquality steel door, as well as labor. And according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2017 Cost vs. Value report, you’re likely to recoup more than 90 percent of that price tag when you sell your home.
opt for cold water or a not-so-powerful machine.
Budget Upgrade: Painting If you’re strapped for cash and your existing door is basically solid, go for a simple upgrade with a DIY coat or two of glossy, water-based exterior paint (oil-based for a wooden door). Cost: under $40 for a gallon of paint (enough to cover 32 square feet, a little more than the size of an average door) — plus your time.
Budget Upgrade: Cabinet Refacing If you’re looking for inexpensive home upgrades that would-be house purchasers love, look into kitchen cabinet refacing. Refacing means applying a veneer to cover the existing cabinets. They’ll look fresh and bright and your wallet will be lighter by only about 50 percent of what you’d pay for kitchen cabinet replacement. Install trendy new hardware as the perfect low-cost finishing touch.
DRIVEWAY
Full-Scale Renovation: Driveway Resurface Imagine a potential real estate buyer admiring a clean, smooth expanse of driveway in front of your home (instead of the current cracked and pitted surface). Now imagine yourself picking up the phone and hiring a concrete contractor to get the job done. It will cost you anywhere from $3-$10 per square foot for the work, more if your drive happens to be in need of major repair or leveling ... or you choose a decorative concrete finish. Budget Upgrade: Pressure Washing The budget fix for a less-than-lovely driveway? Rent a hot-water pressure washer to freshen it up yourself at approximately $95-$195 per day — even less if you
KITCHEN CABINETS Full-Scale Renovation: Cabinet Replacement Replacing your old cabinets, as a minor kitchen remodel, offers tons of buyer eye appeal together with a very healthy return on investment when the time comes to sell your home (about 80 percent, as reported by Remodeling Magazine). On average, kitchen cabinet replacement will run you per linear foot: — $65-$200 stock — $120-$650 semi-custom — $525-$1,200 custom
BATHROOM MAKEOVER Full-Scale Renovation: Complete Bathroom Remodel Are you planning on “the works” to remodel your bathroom — brand new fixtures, hardware, tiling, vanity, and countertop? Your improvements are sure to find favor with real estate open house attendees. Just be prepared to shell out around $15,000 (or more) to have bathroom contractors completely overhaul your 100-square-foot bath. Budget Upgrade: Mini Bath Makeover If your main goal is to bring an outdated bathroom into this century. There is a whole range of small DIY changes you can make, often in just one afternoon and for under $100. Try these bathroom remodel ideas: — Adding molding or board and batten — Changing the overhead lighting — Redoing the grout — Refinishing a shabby looking tub — Refreshing the bathtub surround — Framing your wall mirror
Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017
TIPS OF THE WEEK Create big luxury in a small master bathroom You don’t need to move walls or spend like a home improvement show host to create big luxury in a small master bathroom. Here are some tips from American Standard: • Look for ways to boost the appeal of your tub/shower space. • Replacing an ordinary bathroom faucet with a newer model is an easy way to add luxury. • When you have less real estate to refurbish, high-end BRANDPOINT materials like granite or travertine tile can be a cost-effective choice. • Adding more natural light into a small master bathroom can make the space seem larger.
HOME UPGRADES Navigate big purchases and make wise decisions Are you planning an upcoming home improvement? If so, here are a few things to think about: • If you only plan to live in your home for five years you’ll likely make different decisions than if you plan to live there a lifetime. • When setting a budget you can pay out of pocket or take out a personal or home equity loan. Some companies also offer low-interest financing. If you plan to borrow for your project, make sure you clearly understand and are comfortable with payment terms. • Research and decide which purchases are worth spending more on, LG suggests. For example, appliances used every day are a worthwhile investment. — Brandpoint
MAINTENANCE Homeowners spend average of $9K on hidden home costs According to a new analysis from Zillow and Thumbtack, U.S. homeowners can expect to spend $9,080 a year on average in hidden costs related to owning and maintaining a home. Common but often overlooked home expenses include property taxes, insurance, utilities, carpet cleaning, yard work, gutter cleaning, HVAC maintenance, house cleaning and pressure washing. — Brandpoint
EASY UPGRADE Update kitchen faucet for a quick design boost A few modest investments can help make your kitchen work well and look great, according to Kohler. For example, replacing a kitchen faucet with a newer model can help affordably reinvent the entire room. Plus, you can add functions and features that will make your kitchen more usable, such as a three-function, pull-down spray head.
LIGHTING Basic types of lighting In home design, there are three basic types of lighting: ambient, task and accent. By knowing what each is, you can enhance the functionality and style of your favorite spaces. According to the American Lighting Association: Ambient: Provides an area with overall illumination. Also known as general lighting, it radiates a comfortable level of brightness without glare and allows you to see and walk about safely. Task: Helps you perform specific tasks, such as reading, grooming or preparing food. Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows, plus be bright enough to prevent eye strain. Accent: Adds drama to a room by creating visual interest, and draws the eye to certain features of a home like a painting. Accent lighting requires at least three times as much light on the focal point as the general lighting surrounding it.
GARDENING Steps to a great city garden
BRANDPOINT
KITCHEN TRENDS Stainless steel still a hit Stainless steel still has staying power in sink design, according to Sterling. Stainless is the most popular sink material, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). In terms of durability, it’s difficult to beat stainless steel. What’s more, the finish blends well with virtually any kitchen design theme, especially if you also have stainless steel appliances.
If you have a big desire for a garden but a small amount of urban space, make the most of it with these tips from the New York Times. • Make the most of your vertical space as well as the horizontal. • If you don’t have time for more demanding plants, pick ones you know you can manage. • Plants that drop fruit will attract birds and rats. Trim back any extended branches to keep squirrels from using them as an entrance to your deck.
Plant succulents for year-round container gardening g According to Houzz, while succulents showcase their heat-loving g qualities in summer, they also make great year-round container plants. The drought-tolerant plants can easily grow in very small and shallow containers with limited soil space. Try planting the ever-popular echeveria which is well-loved for its rose-like form with fleshy leaves which come in a variety of different colors.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017 • Page RE7
Realtors, do you want to reach a wider group of potential buyers? Advertise in the RE Weekly. In print and online.
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Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, August 30, 2017
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